Shi, Tutsi swords and others

Tim Simmons · 18th May 2007, 06:22 PM

I still need one like that Lew

. Here are some close ups of this blade just enough to get the gist of it. The finger is not the most elegant measure of the blade but it does show the keen edge. The centre rib is approx 1cm wide and as I mentioned 5mm thick. The blade edge is slightly opposed curves, giving strength in structure if not the finest steel. I really like African metalwork that shows the smiths working marks. I do not think they had heard of William Morris and the arts and crafts movement

. can I see a relation to some blades further south?

Flavio · 18th May 2007, 06:50 PM

Hello Tim, here is mine

Lew · 19th May 2007, 08:08 PM

Tim

Here are some good shots of my sword.

Lew

Tim Simmons · 19th May 2007, 09:31 PM

Thanks Lew and Flavio,
The version I have seems to have a more broad blade. Clearly there is wide regional variation. One could argue that between these examples the link is only really in the scabbard configuration. How extensive is this form, the Nord Kivu and Sud Kivu provinces of DRC, Rwanda, even Tanzania. What about the southern borders Zambia and Shona/Zimbabwe. Questions the answer must be out there.

Flavio · 19th May 2007, 11:02 PM

Hi Tim, here is another variation of these swords (no more mine

). Also in this case the mid rib is flat as in yours example. For sure the differences could be due at the territory but maybe also to the age

18th May 2007, 06:50 PM	#2
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello Tim, here is mine Attached Images

19th May 2007, 08:08 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Tim Here are some good shots of my sword. Lew Attached Images

19th May 2007, 11:02 PM	#5
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hi Tim, here is another variation of these swords (no more mine ). Also in this case the mid rib is flat as in yours example. For sure the differences could be due at the territory but maybe also to the age Attached Images

18th May 2007, 06:22 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	I still need one like that Lew . Here are some close ups of this blade just enough to get the gist of it. The finger is not the most elegant measure of the blade but it does show the keen edge. The centre rib is approx 1cm wide and as I mentioned 5mm thick. The blade edge is slightly opposed curves, giving strength in structure if not the finest steel. I really like African metalwork that shows the smiths working marks. I do not think they had heard of William Morris and the arts and crafts movement . can I see a relation to some blades further south?

19th May 2007, 09:31 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Thanks Lew and Flavio, The version I have seems to have a more broad blade. Clearly there is wide regional variation. One could argue that between these examples the link is only really in the scabbard configuration. How extensive is this form, the Nord Kivu and Sud Kivu provinces of DRC, Rwanda, even Tanzania. What about the southern borders Zambia and Shona/Zimbabwe. Questions the answer must be out there.